Re: A Bourbon from High West

It's a peculiarity of the rule that a mixture of straight bourbons made at different distilleries in the same state may be labeled as 'straight bourbon,' but a mixture of straight bourbons made at different distilleries in different states must be labeled 'a blend,' although it can and should be labeled 'a blend of straight bourbon whiskies,' if it contains only straight bourbon.

The recent rash of so-called curated bourbons and ryes appearing from 3rd parties at a time when aged whiskey is supposed to be in short supply shows us that, despite the denials of some, all of the major producers are in the bulk whiskey business. The caveat is that most of them only sell bulk whiskey for inventory adjustment purposes, and not in the course of their normal business. It is normal business for LDI and has always been part of Heaven Hill's business, only not so much these days because there really isn't much surplus. When there is, what's a bookkeeping correction for the majors can be a major new product introduction for a High West.

I got a peak at LDI's inventory sheet recently and while they're short on the now famous LDI 95% rye with decent age on it, they've got good stocks of both bourbons up to 7-years-old. They make a 25% rye bourbon and a 40% rye bourbon. All of their recipes are 5% malt. Their bourbons haven't hit the market like the rye has, but Redemption Bourbon and William Henry Harrison Bourbon are two examples.

FYI, if you're thinking about starting a brand, LDI's minimum for a bulk whiskey sale is 20 barrels. You don't even need to have a DSP if you transfer them to someone that does, like Bardstown Barrel Selections or Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, for bottling and distribution.

Re: A Bourbon from High West

Chuck I liked how you pointed out that it can and should be labeled as "a blend of straight bourbon whiskey". That has always bothered me calling that a blend same as blended whiskey 2 completely different animals.

Normal is an illusion. What is normal to the spider, is chaos for the fly.

Re: A Bourbon from High West

I was just walking though the Salt Lake airport and saw that High West has their own bar. They had many full, opened bottles of their products on the shelf, but I was told they are not yet allowed to sell bottles to customers

Well, how can it not be McCormick's, the $7 well bourbon of the finest dive bars? Tastes like kerosene and sadness.